Device for removing obstructions in conduits.



T. .J..J.o01 E-.. DEVICE FOB. REMOVING OBSTRUGTIONS IN GONDUITS. APPLICATION I'ILED ITB. 5, 1908.

920,544. l Patented May 4,1909.

UNITED? EE PATENT @ITQEG THOMAS J'. COPE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

DEVICE FOR REMOVING BSTRUCTIONS IN CONDUITS.

Application filed February 5, 1903.

To all 107mm it 'mc-y concern:

Be it known th at I, Trier/ins J. Corn, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Ihiladelphia, State of TBennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Device for Removing Obstructions in Conduits, of which the following is a speci'cation.

My invention has for its object a device for the removal of an obstination in the interior of a conduit, and consists of a cutter, which is adapted to be driven against said obstruction, thus severing the same and clearingthe conduit for subsequent use.

For the purpose of explaining my ini/ention, the accompanying drawing illustrates a satisfactory reduction of the same to practice, but the important istrurnentalities thereof may be varied, and so it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific arrangement and organization shown and described.

Figure 1 represents a partial longitudinal section and partial side elevation of a device for removing an obstacle in a conduit embodying the invention. Fig. 2 represents a similar section and elevation of another form of the device. Fig. 3 represents a transverse section on line :v-, Fig. l. Ifig. 4 represents a transverse section on line y y, Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the hgures.

Referring to the drawings A designates a conduit, which may be of the order of underground or otherwise.

B designates a cutter, Which is of tubular form, and has passed through it the rod or cable C, Whose rear end is connected with the hammer or ram D, which is adapted to strike the adjacent end of the cutter "3.

E designates a piece of rope, Wire, or chain, which is secured to an eye F or other device on the front end of the rod or cable C, and G designates a piece of rope, Wire or chain, which is secured to an eye H on the tail end of the hammer or ram D.

The operation is as follows :-The cutter, cable, ram and ropes are placed Within the conduit, and said parts are run through the same, but when the cutter meets With an obstacle such as J, which obstructs its passage therethrough, the hammer or ram E is run back a suicient distance by the piece G, after which the piece E is drawn forcibly forward, so that the ram D imparts a blow to Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 4, 1909.

Serial No. 414,390.y

otherwise severs the same, thus clearing the conduit for the uninterrupted passage of the device and the subsequent introduction of tbe means for which the conduit is designed.. When the ram is drawn back, the rod or cable C is limited in its motion through the cutter by means of the head L of the eye F which is of greater diameter han the opening M in the'tail end of the cutter through which said cable slides, said head acting as a shoulder and being adapted to abut against the Wall of said opening M, the effect of which is evident.

In cases ".vhere it is not convenient or practical to advance the ram D by the piece C, I employ the rod N, which is formed. in sections coupled together the desired length, the front section having a sleeve I) thereon, the same being adapted to be scren'fed or otherwise secured to the neck Q on the tail end of the ram D, said sleeve freely passing over the eye H, it being seen that the ram may be drawn back as before, but by the rod N, and then advanced by the latter, so that the ram n ill strike the cutter, the blow whereof causing the edge K to cut through, shear or remove an existing obstacle or obstruction as in the previous case.

The members E, C, G are made iiexible, so as to yield, due to irregularities, curves, oft'- sets, etc., in the conduit, it being noticed that the diameters ofthe cutter and ram are considerably less than that of the conduit, and thus said cutter and ram may also move, dueto said irregularities, curves, offsets, etc.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A device for removing an obstruction in the interior of a conduit, comprising a cutting member of less cross area than the conduit and adapted to have its cutting edge engage an obstruction, and means embodying a flexible member movable through said cutting member, and a device carried by said flexible means for forcibly striking the cutting member to drive its edge against and through said obstruction.

2. A device for removing an obstruction in the interior of a conduit, consisting of a cutting member' of less cross area than the interior of the conduit, flexible means movable through said cutter, and a ram connected Lin with said flexible means and provided with' means actuating it in one direction for torcing the cutting edge of said cutting member' against the obstruction.

A device for removing an obstruction in the interior of a conduit, consisting of a cutting member of less cross area than the interior of' the conduit, flexible means movable through saidv cutter, and a ram connected with said flexible means and provided nith means actuating it in one direction for forcing the cutting edge of said cutting member f against the obstruction, said ram being provided with a screw-threaded neck.

il. in a device for removing an obstacle in the interior of a conduit, a cutting member, a blow-striking member, means on the rear end ci the latter for attachment of a piece for ren'ioving tlie blov-:f-striking member from the cutting inen'iber, a flexible Vpiece passing t'reely through said. cutting meinlier and connected eith said blo'a'estriling member for forcibly impelling it against said cutting1 member, and means on the forward end of the last-named piece for attachment of an advancing member of the last-named piece.

5. in a device for removing an obstacle in the interior of a conduit, a cutting member of tubular form, a blow-striking member rear-y ward of' said cutting member, and a flexible piece passing through said cutting member and connected `with said blow-striking member for forciblyP impelling the latter against the former, the rear end of said blow-striking member having an eye for attachment of a connection by which said member is drawn back, and the fort; ard end of said piece having an eye tor attachment of a connection by 'which said blov-`striking member is advanced.

6. ln a device for removing an obstacle in the interior oi' a conduit, a cutting member, a blow-striking member for the latter, and a connection between said members, said connection being ilexible.

7. In a device for removing an obstacle in the interior of a conduit, a cutting member, a blow-striking member, means on the latter for attachment of an impelling member, means on said mcn'iber for a leXible e ithdravfal device, and additional means on said member for a rigid advancing device.

THOMAS J. COPE.

Witnesses JonN A. lffmnnnsnnm, HARRY C. DAL'roN.

CID 

